Environmental Catalysis for Pollution Abatement and Clean Energy Production – THEMATIC UNITS

KPP70: CATALYSIS

Module code: KPP70

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1^st

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Module general description:

The module presents the general characteristics of Catalysis and introduces students to the world of catalysts and catalytic reactions and the study of the catalytic phenomenon through important categories of catalysts that act either dissolved in a solvent (homogenous catalysis), in a biochemical environment (enzymatic catalysis), or as solid surfaces (heterogenous catalysis). Furthermore, the module aims to present the basic concepts of the science of surfaces that are closely related to Catalysis.

Analytical Module Content:

• Introduction
• Catalysis in solutions of acids and bases
• Catalysis in solutions of transition element complexes
• Enzymatic catalysis
• Heterogeneous acid-base catalysis: Zeolites
• Catalysis on the surface of transition metals: Hydrogenation, dehydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of hydrocarbons
• Catalysis on the surface of transition metals: Hydrogenation of CO and catalytic synthesis of NH₃
• Catalysis on the surface of transition metals: Catalytic oxidations
• Catalysis on the surface of transition metal oxides: Redox reactions
• Catalysis on sulfide surfaces of transition metals: Hydrotreatment reactions
• Introduction to surface science
• Basic Concepts of vacuum Technology
• Surface analysis
• Surface structure
• Electronic properties of surfaces
• Surface atomic motion
• Thin films on solid surfaces

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of KPPB70, students will be able to:

• Present in detail the basic concepts of homogenous, enzymatic, and heterogenous catalysis (e.g. activity, selectivity, and stability of catalysts, measures of activity and selectivity, active sites, the catalytic cycle, deactivation and regeneration of catalysts, the general mechanism of catalytic action).
• Taxonomize catalysts and catalytic reactions into crucial reaction categories and present in detail the various aspects of catalytic function per catalyst category (e.g. protonic catalysis in solutions and catalytic surfaces, homogenous catalysis with organometallic complexes, enzyme catalysis, the catalytic activity of metals, oxides, and sulphides).
• Present the basic concepts and methods of the science of surfaces and how it is implemented in heterogenous catalysis.
• Discuss the contributions of catalysis to the chemical industry, the destruction of pollutants, the improvement of traditional fuels and the development of environmentally friendly fuels and processes.
• Identify the post suitable catalyst for a given catalytic reaction.
• Combine various catalytic materials to perform a composite catalytic procedure.

Subjects covered:

• Homogeneous Catalysis
• Enzymic Catalysis
• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• Surface Science

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses.

Evaluation: Students are assigned to submit five (5) written assignments during the academic year. The average grade of the five (5) written assignments, weighted at 30%, is taken into consideration for the calculation of the final grade. The grade of written assignments is activated only with a score equal to or above the pass level (≥5) in the final or resit exams.

The grade of the final or the resit exams shall be weighted at 70 % for the calculation of the final grade.

KPP71: CATALYST SURFACES

Module code: KPP71

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1^st

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Module general description: 

The module focuses on solid catalysts and especially on their surface characteristics. It deals with the structure, preparation and physicochemical characterization of solid catalysts as well as the “physicochemistry” of the reactions that take place on the catalytic surfaces.

More specifically, the structure and general characteristics of solid catalysts are studied, as well as the physicochemical basis of the preparation methods of unsupported and supported catalysts. In addition, the techniques of determining the physical and overall chemical characteristics of solid catalysts, as well as the chemical characteristics of catalytic surfaces, are studied. Adsorption and reaction kinetics on catalytic surfaces are also studied, as well as the effect of mass and heat transfer phenomena on the kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic processes. Finally, the module presents and describes the laboratory catalytic reactors.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of KPPB71, students will be able to:

• Describe the constituent materials of a static catalyst,
• Describe the physico-chemical characteristics that the constituent materials of a solid catalyst must possess in order to be suitable for specific catalytic processes,
• Explain how the physico-chemical constituents of a static catalyst may be altered during a catalytic process,
• Describe the primary methods of preparing carriers, unsupported and supported catalysts,
• Describe the “oxide/aqueous solution” interface,
• Select the suitable physico-chemical methods of determining specific physical, overall chemical or surface chemical characteristics of solid catalysts,
• Describe the basic principles, corresponding experimental provisions and corresponding experimental processes of the primary methods for determining physical, overall chemical or surface chemical characteristics of static catalysts,
• Describe from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective the kinetics of reactions on catalytic surfaces and the influence of mass and heat transfer phenomena on it,
• Describe the most prominent types of catalytic reactors,
• Select the most suitable laboratory catalytic reactor for a given study.

Subjects covered:

• Structure of solid catalysts
• Synthesis of static catalysts
• Characterization of catalytic surfaces
• Mechanics of catalytic reactions

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses.

Evaluation: Students are assigned to submit five (5) written assignments during the academic year. The average grade of the five (5) written assignments, weighted at 30%, is taken into consideration for the calculation of the final grade. The grade of written assignments is activated only with a score equal to or above the pass level (≥5) in the final or resit exams.

The grade of the final or the resit exams shall be weighted at 70 % for the calculation of the final grade.

KPP80: POLUTION ABATEMENT PROCESSES

Module code: KPP80

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1^st

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Module general description:

 The module aims to familiarize postgraduate students with advanced adsorptive, catalytic, and photocatalytic anti-pollution processes, i.e. processes for the destruction or capture of atmospheric pollutants released from static sources (e.g. industrial installations) and mobile sources (e.g. vehicles), as well as processes for the control of pollutants found in various types of waste.

Analytical Module Content:

• Air pollution
• Liquid pollution
• The interface between a charged surface of a solid adsorbent and an aqueous solution
• Adsorption
• Adsorbent materials
• Adsorption technology in antipollution processes
• Control of mobile source emissions
• Control of emitted nitrogen oxides (NOx) from static sources
• Control of emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from static sources
• Catalytic combustion
• Controlling the use and escape of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Control of incoming ozone (O3) in aircraft
• Control of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions
• Control of emitted sulfur dioxide (SO2) from static sources
• Catalytic processes of liquid waste and drinking water

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of KPPB80, students will be able to:

• Describe the formation of the main gaseous and liquid pollutants emitted – discharged from mobile and static sources and explain the need to control their emissions, indicating the adverse effects these pollutants have on the environment.
• Describe the structure and composition of the interface that develops between an adsorbent and the aqueous phase.
• Present from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective the adsorption of substances from the gaseous and aqueous phase onto the surface of adsorptive materials.
• Select the most suitable adsorptive material for a given gaseous or aqueous pollution abatement process.
• Select the most suitable adsorption technologies for implementation in the corresponding pollution abatement processes.
• Describe the main primary and secondary catalytic and adsorptive methods of emission control and their function.
• Propose established (state of the art) or potential catalysts for the catalytic methods of emission control and justify their selection based on the conditions a catalyst must have for a given control method, pollutant, and emission source.
• Describe existing and potential applications of catalytic combustion for both primary and secondary control of air pollutant emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Describe the impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on stratospheric ozone and climate change and report on catalytic and non-catalytic processes for the destruction or utilization of CFC stocks.
• Define the basic concepts of photocatalysis and describe photocatalytic processes for the treatment of sewage and potable water.

Subjects covered:

• Catalytic Pollution Abatement Processes
• Adsorptive Pollution Abatement Processes

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses.

Evaluation: Students are assigned to submit five (5) written assignments during the academic year. The average grade of the five (5) written assignments, weighted at 30%, is taken into consideration for the calculation of the final grade. The grade of written assignments is activated only with a score equal to or above the pass level (≥5) in the final or resit exams.

The grade of the final or the resit exams shall be weighted at 70 % for the calculation of the final grade.

KPP81: CLEAN ENERGY PRODUCTION

Module code: KPP81

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 2^nd

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Module general description:

The main objective of the module is to educate students on issues concerning advanced processes related to the clean energy production. More precisely this module aims to familiarize students with the main refinery processes and especially with those targeting to the production of environmental friendly conventional fuels (hydrodesulphurization), the production of biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and biogas) and the production, storage and use of hydrogen (Fuel Cells) for the production of electric energy.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• Describe the basics of the operation of a petroleum refinery and state the main products.
• Describe the chemistry, operational conditions and required characteristics of catalysts used in the main catalytic processes of a petroleum refinery (reforming, isomerization, catalytic pyrolysis and hydrotreatment).
• Discuss the importance of biofuels for the sustainable growth.
• Describe the production processes of the main biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, biogas, liquid synthetic fuels from gasification of lignocellulosic biomass, liquid biofuels from liquefaction / pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, biofuels from microalgae, and biohydrogen) and discuss their role in the environmental protection.
• Propose suitable catalysts for biofuels production processes.
• Explain the necessity of introducing hydrogen to the energy mix and state the relevant problems which are currently opposing the hydrogen economy.
• Describe the chemistry, operational conditions and catalyst requirements for the catalytic processes used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbons (steam or CO2 reforming, catalytic partial oxidation and autothermal reforming).
• Describe processes for the production of hydrogen which are based on the electrolytic, thermochemical or photocatalytic decomposition of water.

Subjects covered:

• Production of clean petroleum fuels
• Methods for the exploitation of biomass for biofuels production
• Production, storage, transportation and use of hydrogen as alternative fuel

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses.

Evaluation: Students are assigned to submit five (5) written assignments during the academic year. The average grade of the five (5) written assignments, weighted at 30%, is taken into consideration for the calculation of the final grade. The grade of written assignments is activated only with a score equal to or above the pass level (≥5) in the final or resit exams.

The grade of the final or the resit exams shall be weighted at 70 % for the calculation of the final grade.

KPP82 POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA THESIS (40 ΕCTS)

Module code: KPP82

ECTS Credit Points: 40

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 2^nd

Language: Greek

Module Outline

General Description:

Aim

The aim of the PDT is to complete the students’ knowledge and develop their skills in the processing of independent topics in the Science of Catalysis and its applications in Environmental Protection and Clean Energy Production. The work is carried out based on the student’s special interest in a subject, always in consultation with the supervisor and on the condition that the subject is related to the academic subjects of the PDT.

Content

The Diploma Thesis constitutes an individual, self-contained, in-depth scientific and systematic approach to the analysis of a topic and the synthesis of a solution or proposal. It draws on existing literature and/or original research. The Diploma Thesis has a research, study, development or applied research character and is prepared by each student individually. With the guidance of the supervisor, students are given the opportunity to gain significant experiences from the comprehensive study and in-depth investigation of a distinct subject of specialization and are challenged to develop critical and combinatorial thinking, organization and analysis skills, applying the systematic and scientific approach. Through his research, the student must demonstrate the ability to identify problems and challenges in the specific field, evaluate results and propose alternative solutions or strategies.

Procedure

The student submits a proposed thesis topic title, accompanied by the purpose, methodology and expected results. The program proposal must be approved by the supervising professor before the student begins the work. The student is then in constant contact with the supervisor throughout the preparation of the thesis, with continuous guidance and feedback. At the end, the student submits a comprehensive scientific report, which he defends with an oral presentation (supporting a master’s thesis) in public and before a three-member examination committee.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the PDT, the student will:

• have studied in depth a specific topic of the scientific areas that PDT treats
• have used his relevant knowledge from his studies and developed his compositional ability
• have learned to look for appropriate scientific information through the relevant scientific literature
• be able to design a research plan and develop an appropriate methodology for approaching and investigating a topic under study and organize a plan for its implementation
• have acquired skill in writing a scientific text
• have acquired skill in the organization and oral presentation of a scientific topic
• be able to clearly present his conclusions, as well as the knowledge and reasoning on which they are based, successfully making a comprehensive presentation via ICT, before the three-member examining committee and the public
• be able to describe and document the basic knowledge related to the topic of the thesis
• be able to summarize the existing scientific knowledge and expertise in the subject of the thesis
• be able to combine knowledge to propose solutions to relevant problems or applications
• be able to select appropriate technical/technological approaches and adapt them to the problem to be solved using original thinking
• be able to evaluate the approach/solution he proposes, placing it in a context of comparison with equivalents in the Greek and international literature and commenting on its relative advantages and disadvantages, documenting his opinions and choices

General Regulation for Preparing Graduate Dissertations in PC with an annual Module Correspondence

For more information regarding the Specifications – Useful Material for writing Master’s Theses and uploading a Thesis at the H.O.U. Repository, you can go to the Digital Training Area http://study.eap.gr and especially to the Program of Studies section.

Prerequisites: The presentation of the Postgraduate Diploma Thesis takes place after the successful completion of the program’s Course Modules.